Sttr-stretcher



J. E. FRITCH.

FUR STRETCHER.

APPLICATIONIFILED JUNE 6. I918.

1,383,923., Patented July 5, 1921.

F x 1, 7 6 w JAMES EDWARD FRITCH, OF CODY, NEBRASKA.

FUR-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 1921.

Application filed June 6, 1918. Serial No. 238,526.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES EDWARD FRrroH, a citizen of the United States, residing' at Cody, in the county of Cherry and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fur- Stretchers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in fur stretchers especially adapted for stretching and drying the furs of animals.

An important object of this invention is to provide a fur stretcher of the character described, which isextremely light, few in parts, and convenient for trappers to carry.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fur stretcher of the character described, which easily adapts itself to stretching furs of different sizes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fur stretcher of the character described, which is neat in appearance, efiicient in use, and of highly simplified construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fur stretcher, which by virtue of its extreme lightness and simplified construction, will meet with favor among trappers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fur stretcher, which is easy to adjust and when adjusted, will so remain.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are em loyed to designate like parts throughout t e same,

Figure l is a front elevation of a fur stretcher embodied in my invention,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, and,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the same.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates the body portion of the stretcher, which may in manufacture be formed of a single piece of stout spring wire. The body portion comprises a horizontally extending rod 6 bent as at 7 to form a downwardly extending arm 8. The lower portion of the frame 5 is bent upon itself as at 9, thus forming an upright arm 10, which diverges outwardly from the arm 8. The upper portion of the arm 10 is looped, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The loop is designated by the numeral l1 and is adapted for the reception of the rod 6. An extension 12 protrudes angularly from the looped portion 11. The lower portion 9 of the frame 5 is adapted for the reception of one end of the fur. The opposite end portion of the fur is adapted to be engaged by hooks 13 adjustably arranged on the arms 8 and 10. The hooks 13 are formed of relatively stout wire and are coiled. about the arms 8 and 10. Engaging fingers 14 are formed on one end of the hooks 18. The hooks 13 are adapted to be adjusted in any desired place on the arms 8 and 10 and by reason of the friction between the hooks and the arms, the same will stay in a set position.

In attaching a fur to my improved fur stretcher, one end thereof is engaged by the lower portion 9 of the frame, while the upper end portions are engaged by the hooks 13. Before engaging the upper portion of the fur with the hooks 13, the arms 8 and 10 are pressed inwardly, thus arranging them approximately parallel. Upon attaching the fur to the hooks 13, the arm 10 is sprung outwardly, thus stretching the fur transversely of its length as well as stretching it longitudinally.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

As an article of manufacture, a fur stretcher comprising a single wire strand bent toform a body of substantially V-shape with the end of one leg extended at a right angle across the large end of the body and past the opposite leg, said opposite leg having its end bent to form a loop at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the first mentioned end, the second mentioned end being extended to provide a loop to form the handle whereby the loop may be turned to receive the first mentioned end and grip the same frictionally when the handle is released to retain the sides of the body in adjusted position, and a pair of fur engaging members mounted on the sides of the body.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES EDWARD FRITOH. Witnesses:

Y PAUL N. Conn,

H. A. Conn. 

